Ducati's Nicky Hayden has hinted there is a  lack of chassis development for his factory's MotoGP project, saying that save for a couple of modifications here and there, he is still using the same version he started the year with.

While the two Repsol Honda riders have had several different complete chassis to work with over the course of the season in order to try and eliminate the chatter that is plaguing them, Hayden is still on version one but he is confident the factory will pull something out of the bag for 2013 - and not just a mid-season upgrade that gets carried over.

"I am using the same actual chassis that I started the season with. We have had some modifications to the chassis, some stiffness here, and we changed parts after Mugello, but the actual chassis is the same," said Hayden, speaking at an Indianapolis media event.

"Last year we brought in new chassis and made big changes during the season, and I would say it hurt us. Things became confused. We lost track; we lost our way a bit. So it is clear that we need to do a big step. A tenth, two tenths isn't going to help us. Usually I give my feedback to the engineers and whatever they say it needs. Of course, we have to fix out understeer, and we have to make it stiffer and better.

"Some of it could be caused from the engine. Whatever it takes to fix that, I would say it has to be fixed. We certainly need something modified with the chassis, but to say a complete new design, I am not sure. We have some ideas to change some weight distribution around, and already Valentino has tested that at Mugello, and it is one of the areas that we are working on.

"I believe we have the pieces and the resources and certainly this year we just haven't made it happen. I see a lot of effort going in, but Laguna wasn't a great weekend for us. We struggled a lot going in, and before that we came from Mugello, where I would say me and Valentino, I would say we as a team had out best dry race that we have had in two years. So that was really encouraging.

"Every now and then, we catch a little hope and see a little light, and we think now things are going in that direction. Right now, there isn't a lot that we can do, but after summer break we have a test in Misano after the Czech Republic race, and there we are going to try a few things. And we have some difference chassis parts coming in later in the season, and I certainly believe in this team and believe in this bike.

"I think they have done it before, and there is no reason why they can't do it again. We have been off a bit, but if everything comes right, certainly there is no reason why Ducati can't be completely competitive in MotoGP or in any series."